Glider



Jan. 12, 1937. Q 1, SOHN 1- AL 2,067,423

GLIDER Filed Nov. 7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inca/Wou and Arthur d. 7001'sag? @4am/QW @Hozncq Janl12571937., J. s-oHN ET AL 2,067,423

GLIDER Filed Nov. 7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Clement cl. 5o/m and /lru/jc/. Zay/5 @gna Mau @MW h .h HConmqS Patented Jan. 12, 1937 GLIDERClement J. Sohn, Lansing, and Arthur J. Davis, East Lansing, Mich.

Application November 7, 1935, Serial No. 43,634

12 Claims. (C1. 24A- 16) Our invention relates to improvements ingliders and particularly to a glider which is adapted to be detachablysecured to the body of a person and to be readily manipulated by theperson from a closed position of non-use to an outspread position ofuse.

With our improved glider a person is able to descend from greatelevations and to control and guide the direction of descent. The wingsare so 1o constructed as to be adjustable with respect to the wearersbody to change the angle of incidence of each wing or to raise or lowerthe wings.

Our improved glider is simple, inexpensive, easily secured in place, andnormally held folded 'l5 against the wearers body. It is adapted to bequickly outspread to the position of use and to be folded into aposition of non-use. It comprises a pair of wings, the leading edges ofwhich are disposed underneath thehorizontally outstretched 20 arms ofthe wearer with the arms serving to form theleading edges of said wingsbut being at all times free for release therefrom.

A feature of importance is that each wing is quadrant shaped and has aleading edge which 25 for the majority of its length has a thicknesscommensurate with the arm of the wearer and the Wing tapers therefrom inthickness to an arcuate trailing edge. The axis of each wing issupported within an axialla of the wearer and a 30 harness is providedto secure the wings in place.

The complete glider mechanism includes a web section secured between thelegs of the wearer and adapted to be outspread by the spreading apart ofthe wearers legs. Each wing is subject 125 to the control of theadjacent arm of the wearer and is adapted to be held in the outstretchedposition thereby and is provided with means operable to automaticallyfold the wing upon its release by the arm' of the wearer. The wings are40 ca'rried by a frame or harness whereby they are secured to the bodyof the wearer. This harness includes a saddle or breast support uponwhich the weight of the wearers body is taken when in flight. The wingsare pivoted toy opposite sides of this support.

An important object is the provision of a wing and harness structure soarranged that the load on the wings in use is taken by the harness and50 this load does not have to be taken by the arm of the wearer iniiight.

Various other objects,l advantages and meritorious features of ourinvention will more fully appear frornthev following description,appended 55 `claims, and accompanyingidrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing an operator equipped with our improvedglider,

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the frame Work and harness of the glidershowing the frame work of one wing unfolded, 5

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through one of the wings,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation partly in section of one of the Wingsupports,

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a wing frame folded, 10

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional View through the lower end of one ofthe wing supports,

Fig. '7 is a perspective of a wing folded showing securement of thecover thereupon,

Fig. 8 is a perspective of a breast pad for the 15 breast support,

Fig. 9 is a perspective of a modied form of the wing rib whichconstitutes the leading edge of the wing, and

Fig. 10 is an end view of a wing partly broken away to show the interiorstructure.

The invention comprises a pair of Wings which are adapted to' be securedto the body of a person by a suitable harness so that the wings can bereadily controlled and so that the wings are normally disposed when inuse underneath the horizontally stretched arms of the wearer and formweb-like wing members extending outwardly from the wearers trunkunderneath the arms and subject to the control of the arms. The arms areat all times free for release of either wing so that each arm may beused for any other purpose for which it may be desired.

In use our improved glider is adapted to be employed to permit a personto descend fromV a great height as from an aeroplane and to glide asdesired and to control the direction of travel. The wearer glidesdownwardly head foremost with his body at a slight angle to thehorizontal. As now used the glider is employed in conjunction with aparachute and is employed for the initial portion of the descent. Theparachute is used for the nal portion of the descent being opened atsuch point above the surface of the earth as is decided upon to make asafe landing.

Ihe glider comprises a supporting frame or harness which is secured tothe body of the wearer and which carries the wings and a tail section orweb. This frame includes a breast support or saddle I0 which carries apair of wings I 2. A tail or web section I4 is arranged between the legsof a coverall garment I6 and forms a part of the glider mechanism. Thisbreast support is adapted to receive the breast of the wearer forming asaddle which carries 55 the weight of the wearer in flight. t isgenerally of a U-shape and extends across the breast of the wearer withthe ends thereof disposed within the axillae of the wearer. The ends ofthis breast support are connected across the back of the wearer by astrap I'I. This strap is secured to the ends of the breast member byclevises I8 and cap screws 20. The strap may be tightened or loosened bya buckle lilre me mberl 22. The breast member I is supported by shoulderstraps 24 which extend over the shoulders' 'of the wearer. f

A tubular T-shape wing supporting member 26 has a head 28 mounted uponthe end of the breast member I0. The tubularwhead isreceived over theend of thebreast 'member as illustrated particularly in Fig. 4. The capscrew 20 is threaded into the endof. thebrast member to hold the wingsupporting' member and clevis I8 thereupon. By adjustment Aof the capScrew in its `v:threaded Aengagement with lthe breast member theposition of the wingsupportfing member thereupon may be changed and thewing supporting member moved in or out with respect thereto to vary theposition of the wing carriedthereby. .The wing supporting member isprovided with end flanges 3U which are quadrantshaped andv eachisprovided along its arcuate margin with a series of apertures. Eachaperture yis adapted to'receive an end of a wing rib 32.'y i

A plurality of. such ribs are provided. fourbein'gxshere'shown'. AsAhere illustrated in Figs. Z, 3, and 4 eachrib is of a generallytriangular or V-.shapel L'Thetwo sides ofthe V have their opposite endsturned inwardlyas illustrated in Figs. 2`and 3 to be received within theapertures in .tli'elflanges Washers andcotter pins or other suitablemeans may be provided to hold the ribs in'place lasillustrated in Figs.3 and 4. Each of these ribsi'sprovided' with a pair of cross Varms orbraces 3,4. The upper rib is provided at its'outerv endwith a handleorhand grippertion 36 which may, as shown in Fig. 7, be detachable forconvenience in assemblingvthe cover upon the wing frame. The other ribsVtapfer to a single outer end portion as shown.

The ribs are adapted to fold together as shown in Fig. o5 against thewing supportingV member yto 26 orto be 'unfolded as shown .in Fig. 2 tosupport vthe outspread wing. vA ribbon 38 or the flike -is secured'atone end to the uppermost rib as illustrated vin Fig 2 and at theopposite end to a clevis at thelower end of the wing supporting member26 'to' limit the spread ofthe wing and to position the several ribs'inyspaced apart relationship whenthe wing is outspread as shown in Fig. v2.A` suitablewing retracting element 40 is likewise secured tothe outerrib at one endend atthe opposite end to the clevis uabove described.This retracting element may jbe formed of rubber or other resilient.spring material and extends over a loop spaced midway ofthe wingsupportingmember. -It is adapted to vnormally hold the wing structurefolded againstv the wing supporting member as shown Fig. 5. Thiswingstructure may be. moved to its unfolded relationship as shown inFig. 2 .by kthe Awearer exerting a lift on the handle 36 .,-so 'as tostretch the wing o ut.

The wing frame structure is' provided with a cover 42 formed of`suitablefabric orgother material which is adapted to beAstretchedthereover and whichkforms Aa completely y.closed .iaclset.edges the arm strength ofsthewearer.

ets 45 adapted to receive the ends of the ribs 32 illustratedparticularly in Fig. 3.

f -The lower end of each wing supporting mem- Mber ,26 is vheld ,to the.body of the wearer at the waist by "an adjustable back strap 46 and anadjustable girth 48. The back band and girth varesecured attheir ends tosuitable clevises for/medbn the lower ends `of the wingsupportinginembers 26 and each is provided with an ad- Ajustifient in-.the-form of a buckle like meinberlin .whereby thewing supportingmembers may be heldsnugly to .the bodyofpthewearer and may be moved foreand aft. with respect thereto by adjustmentof Y,thegirth or back bandrespectively. 'Ihrough adjustment of thesestraps 146 :andASandadjustmentof the `cap screws here- ;toforedescribed it is possible toadjust .theposition of thefwings or to change .their angle of lncidence.as desired.

,When the wings areutSpread and held in the ,unfolded position .by thehorizontally outstretched arms of thewearergas `shown in Fig. 1,

the wearersarms extend along the leading edges of thewingand virtually.constitute `the leading Due to thetriangularshape of the rib structureseach wing hasa thickness at itsaxis substantiallyequal to vthe.diameter`of .the wearersarm at the shoulder and it tapers therefrom to itstrailing edgef52. folded by theY wearer. grasping the wingihandle. thearms of the wearer. are at all .times free to release .thewings so thateitherarmmay. be used to.re

folded back against thewearers body bythe retraction members 40.

" I'herharness orfframe structure .is of such a character that theloadon the wings isLtakenby the frame and does-.not have tobe takenfbyAs shown, the ends of the U-barcarry the wings and take. the

`load thereof ingflight. 'z The arms of the v.wearer lserve only to holdthe -Wingsexpanded but donot take the liftloadthereof.

In Fig. 8 there is illustrated a breast pad yI6 .which Vis securedto-the breast supporting mem.- .ber I6 to take the ,weight of the,wearer and the What we clairn': A

1. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be'secuid't'the'bo'dyofvape'rsony apair lof quadrant Vsl'iaped j wing's pivotally'supporteduponl'the harness within `the axilla of the ...wearen t. eachYwing vsecuie'cl adj ac'nt `t its As thewingis heldmunarrngofV the.wearer ltm-nung edge by the harness to the body of the wearer at thewaist, said wings adapted to fold against the body of the wearer or tobe unfolded underneath the horizontally outstretched arms of Vthewearer, and yieldable means normally tending to hold said wings in theirfolded position.

2. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured to thebody of a person, a pair of quadrant shaped wings pivotally supportedupon the harness within the axillae of the wearer, each wing securedadjacent to its trailing'edge by the harness to the body of the wearerat the waist, said wings adapted to fold against the body of the weareror to be unfolded underneath the horizontally outstretched arms of thewearer, and each wing gradually increasing in thickness from itstrailing edge to its axis.

3. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured about thebody of a wearer and provided with wing pivot supports arranged withinthe axillae of the wearer, a wing mounted upon each pivot support andprovided with a plurality of V-shaped ribs each pivoted at the open endof the V to the pivot support.

4. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured about thebody of a wearer and provided with a pair of T-shape wing supportsarranged one on each side of the wearer with the head of the T disposedwithin the axilla of the wearer, a wing mounted upon each support, eachwing provided with a plurality of generally triangular ribs individuallypivoted to the head of the wing support, a wing cover over said ribs,said ribs adapted to be swung together against said wing support or tobe outstretched in spaced apart relationship with the uppermost ribextending substantially parallel to the horizontally outstretched arm ofthe wearer.

5. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured to thebody of a person and provided with a U-shaped breast element having endportions adapted to seat within the axillae of the wearer, T-shaped wingsupports mounted upon the ends of the breast element and adjustable foreand aft with respect to the wearers body upon said element, a wingpivoted to the upper end of each wing support and secured to the lowerend thereof and adapted to fold against the support or to be spreadoutwardly underneath the horizontally outstretched arm of the wearer.

6. Glider mechanism comprising a pair of parallel spaced apart T-shapedwing supports connected together through the heads of the T supports bya curved breast member and a wing pivoted to the head of each T supportto fold flat against the upright portion of the T support or to beoutstretched into a quadrant shaped web.

7. Glider mechanism comprising a harness adapted to be secured to thebody of a person and provided with a rigid U-shaped breast elementhaving end portions adapted to seat within the axillae of the wearer,means connecting said end portions together across the back of thewearer, means extending over the shoulders of the wearer supporting saidbreast element, a pair of li-shaped wing' supports, one wing supportmounted upon one end of the breast element, the other wing supportmounted upon the other end of the breast element, means extending aroundthe wearers body at the waist connecting said T supports, said Tsupports being adjustable fore and aft with respect to the wearers bodyupon the breast element, a quadrant shaped wing pivoted to the head ofeach T support and secured at its trailing edge to the lower end of theT support.

8. Glider mechanism comprising a U-shaped saddle element adapted toreceive the breast of a wearer and having its ends disposed Within theaxillae of the wearer, wing supports extending along opposite sides ofthe wearers body and pivoted at their upper ends upon the ends of thebreast element, a wing pivoted to the upper end of each Wing supportwithin the axillae of the wearer and adapted to fold against the body ofthe wearer underneath the wearers arm or to be outstretched underneaththe horizontally outstretched arm of the wearer.

9. Glider mechanism comprising a pair of wings: provided with meansadapted to be secured to the body of a person to fasten said wings toopposite sides of the wearers body underneath the horizontallyoutstretched arms of the wearer with the leading edge of each wingadapted to extend underneath the horizontally outstretched arm of thewearer, each wing having a trough shaped leading edge adapted topartially embrace and receive said arm with the arm forming the leadingedge portion of the wing when in use.

l0. Glider mechanism comprising a rigid U- shaped brace element adaptedto extend across the breast of a wearer with its ends disposed withinthe axillae of the wearer, T-shaped wing supports having tubular headsjournalled on the ends of the breast element, and a wing structurepivoted to the head of each wing support to fold flat thereagainst or tobe unfolded against the outstretched arm of the wearer.

11. Glider mechanism comprising a rigid U- shaped brace element adaptedto extend across the breast of a 'wearer with its ends disposed withinthe axillae of the wearer, and a wing structure pivotally supported uponeach end of the brace element within the axillae of the wearer adaptedto fold flat against the side of the wearer 'r or to be unfoldedunderneath the outstretched arm of the wearer.

12. Glider mechanism comprising a rigid U- shaped brace element adaptedto extend across the breast of a wearer with its ends disposed CLEMENTJ. SOHN. ARTHUR J. DAVIS.

